Xianzhi Lin

The Lin group uses ovarian cancer as a model system to study the molecular mechanisms of cancer initiation and progression. We focus on the largest group of transcripts in the human genome known as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), many of which have been demonstrated to have regulatory roles in multiple cellular processes in both physiology and diseases. Molecular and genetic analyses are being carried out to interrogate the functions of lncRNAs in the hallmarks and enabling characteristics of cancer. Using RNA-centric and protein-centric methods, our group identifies and validates lncRNA-binding partners that contribute to the functional role of lncRNAs in the hallmarks and enabling characteristics of cancer. The lncRNAs and their binding partners are potential targets for developing therapeutic drugs to prevent cancer progression.